Resolutions aren’t for me... but I’m working on a 5-year arts plan

COUNTY ARTS OFFICER Liz Burns doesn’t make personal New Year’s resolutions because she never keeps them and only ends up letting herself in for disappointment which she tries to avoid.

Liz took up the position of arts officer with Wexford County Council in October having previously worked as arts programme manager for Fire Station Artists’ Studios in Dublin.

Her appointment came 13 months after the post was made vacant following the departure of Sinéad Barden.

Liz is busy getting to know everyone involved in the arts in Wexford and is currently working on the development of a five-year arts plan for the county.

‘ The challenge is to come up with something exciting and relevant for the next five years. I will be developing that over the next year,’ she said.

Liz sees her job as supporting artists and art forms in Wexford and giving people the opportunity to connect with good art and to participate in arts activities.

One of her aims is to building on the momentum created by the Three Sisters bid for European Capital of Culture by Wexford, Waterford and Kilkenny in 2016.

‘I’m interested in bringing the national and international into the local. I think we should be bold and ambitious. Why not? The sky’s the limit,’ said Liz.

COLM O’GORMAN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL IRELAND